The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Businessman with pan-india reach, ‘perfect old Dilli waala’: Meet BJP’S Chandni Chowk candidate
WITH DEEP roots in Delhi-6 and a family legacy entrenched in both politics and business, Praveen Khandelwal describes himself as the “perfect old Dilli waala”.
“Politics is in my blood,” announcesthe64-year-old.“myuncle was a member of the municipal corporation, he went on to become the deputy mayor and later, an MLA. My father has been involved with thebjpandt he erstwhile Jan Sangh...ou rs is a business family that has been politically connected ,” he elaborated.
Khandelwal is the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate from Chandni Chowk, represented by Dr Harsh Vardhan who recently announced retirement from political life. The INDIA bloc is yet to announce its candidate from the seat.
“I believe that if we enjoy our work, success becomes inevitable ,” khan delw al said, sitting in his car, while traversing from one campaign commitment to another. founder and general secretary of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Khandelwal made his foray in electoral politics in 2008, when he contested the
Delhi Assembly elections from Chandni Chowk. “Although I narrow ly missed the mark, the experience fueled my resolve to champion the cause of the people I represent,” he added.
Recalling his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “I first met him some 25 years ago during his tenure as the general secretary of the BJP. Since then, our engagements have been instrumental in addressing the challenges faced by the trading community.”
Welfare of traders is clearly a cause that Khandelwal cares deeply about.
While visiting the Wazirpur Industrial Area for a “pro-industrial meet” Friday, Khandelwal said, “I have been working for businessmen for a long time. The proof of my work is in front of you: Ladakh, which does not have many police booths, has 48 trader associations.”
Accusing the Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of neglecting traders, he said ,“Just take a look at the dilapidatedstate of the roads and infrastructure here( i nW azirp ur )...”
Vipin Ahuja, Chairman of Ashok Vihar Vyapar Mandal, said, “The way he (Khandelwal) has been handling the association is no cakewalk... He will reach the Parliament.”
“After becoming an MP, I will sit with a table on a footpath... In the presence of off ice rs,i will solve issues from there ... this is what my uncle sat ishc hand ra khan delw al used to do,” Khandelwal told The Indian Express.